How to catch a cat - traps, mechanical devices

In the modern world, cats that walk on their own can only be found in a remote village. City residents prefer to keep their pets in an apartment, walk them on a closed loggia, and take them for examination in a comfortable carrier. Unfortunately, these measures cannot be called 100% reliable. Having firmly decided to go in search of adventure, our pet squeezes through a narrow doorway, falls out or jumps out of a window, and we are left to either rush around the yard, shouting his name at the top of our voices, or hastily invent a way to catch the cat before he is hit by a rushing cat. the car was not torn apart by a pack of stray dogs.

How to catch an animal that finds itself outside the apartment

First of all, collect your thoughts and try to find out exactly where your pet is. Act collectedly, quickly, but without undue haste. Remember, if you immediately rush into the yard and try to catch the cat, with a 99% chance your attempt will fail.

For a pet that has never crossed the threshold of its apartment before, being on the street is not an easy ordeal. The calmest and most balanced animals in such a situation show unusual aggression, simply not recognizing their owner. Before resorting to more serious methods of catching a fugitive, try the following: put on a jacket and trousers made of thick material, and put thick leather gloves on your hands. Bring along a cat treat or toy that your pet has a strong attachment to. Spray catnip spray on his litter and take it out into the yard. You can apply a little spray to your own sneakers.

You shouldn’t expect that when a pet sees its beloved owner it will immediately rush into your arms. At best, he won't run away. If the cat gets close enough to you, you can try to grab it. But you will have to act very quickly. It will be better to lure your pet with food and, when all its attention is absorbed by a tasty piece, throw your jacket, bag or old blanket over it.

The tricks of catching a cat, which we will talk about in this article, will help you get out of the most difficult situation with honor and return the fugitive home safe and sound.

How to return a stray pet?

How to catch a wild cat on the street is already clear. But what can owners do if their beloved pet, who lived in the same apartment with them, has escaped? Although the question of what motivates domestic cats to leave the comfort of their corner is a mystery, there is still some explanation on this matter. Animals that spend a long time only within the premises may feel uncomfortable. Looking out the window and watching what is happening on the street, mustachioed predators at the genetic level want to climb a tree or just run. Sometimes animals come out through an open door out of curiosity.

Not every pet will like being chased. After all, he just broke free. The owner's attempts to deprive him of this pleasure cannot be crowned with success. To catch a domestic cat, you need to be astute. If your pet is outside for the first time, it is stressful for her. In such circumstances, even the most obedient and calm animals can become aggressive. Most often, cats do not immediately recognize their owners. In such situations, it is recommended to spray your personal rug with escaped mint, which is sold in pet stores. You can try giving your cat her favorite food or fun objects. When she starts playing or gets carried away with food, you can quickly grab her. For safety reasons, it is better to wear gloves and clothing made of thick materials.

Cat trap

Radical methods in the form of homemade traps should be resorted to in special cases: for example, if you are going on a trip, and in the next hour and a half you need to take your pet to a cat boarding house or take it to its mother.

Cats who find themselves outside the apartment quickly adapt to unusual conditions and in most cases do not experience any serious stress. After wandering in the wild, they come home as if nothing had happened and behave as if their escape existed only in the imagination of their owners. If there are no dogs, no wild animals, or heavy traffic where you live, there is basically nothing to worry about. But within the city limits our pets face many very real dangers, so returning home as quickly as possible becomes a matter of life and death. You can't do this without a strong trap.

It is very convenient to catch runaway cats using a landing net - fishing equipment in the form of a large net on a long (2 or more meters) handle. If you have the patience to lay in wait for the gulena, carefully sneak up to it and throw a net with a quick, precise movement, consider it already at home!

You can construct a trap for cats (albeit not as grandiose as in the cartoon of the same name, but much safer) using a fishing net: hang it on the branches of a nearby tree, attach strong ropes with which the trap is activated. It's just a matter of finding the right bait.

In general, catching runaway cats is closely related to fishing. Here you will find fishing gear, a special attitude, and reaction speed, not to mention a thoughtful choice of bait.

It can be a dish beloved by an animal, but for a number of reasons a forbidden dish: a good piece of fried meat, smoked sausage, fish or seafood - always without bones. It is not advisable to lure cats with sour cream, cheese or milk. Even if your pet is crazy about these dishes at home, outside he may simply not smell them. If you take a piece of fish or bacon skin as bait, you won’t go wrong, again, provided that the cat knows and loves these foods.

What to consider when catching a cat

How to wash a cat: options if he is afraid of water and scratches

The health status of street vagabonds is questionable. To protect yourself, approach the matter thoroughly:

prepare traps and treats;
wear protective clothing with long sleeves and gloves;
They observe the behavior and habits of the tramp: where he lives most often, what kind of treat he likes.

Important! Animals feel threatened and resist. Aggression is a reaction to fear, not a character trait, and therefore should not repel the future owner.

Homemade cat trap

Mechanical devices

Does your cat react normally to a special carrier, calmly climb into it and not start a riot before any trip? Consider yourself very lucky. In this case, place the carrier not far from the place where your pet is hiding, put a tasty-smelling bait in it, and be patient. Think in advance about how you can close the trap. You probably won’t be able to do this yourself: when your pet notices that you’re approaching, he’ll immediately take off. If you can’t figure out how to automatically close the carrier, you can simply tie a strong rope to the handle and sharply pull it at the right moment, cutting off the animal’s escape route.

If you have the opportunity, you can catch the fugitive in a special cage. Externally, such a device is similar to a regular carrier, with the only difference being that it is equipped with a mechanism that automatically closes the door. Such a cage is not cheap, so if you do not maintain a whole cattery of freedom-loving cats and do not plan to use it every day, try renting it from a veterinary clinic or the nearest shelter. Most likely, they will gladly meet you halfway. The main thing is that, having finally caught your pet, to celebrate, do not forget to return the trap to its owners.

So, the question of how to catch a cat in a trap has been resolved. It's time to move on to more sophisticated methods.

How to train a cat to trap

The next method is more humane. Let's see how to catch a cat on the street and at the same time not traumatize the animal's psyche. If you notice that she behaves quite adequately, not aggressively, but is simply afraid of people, then first try to accustom her to the trap by luring her with food. Place the cage in a visible and more accessible place for the cat. In this case, you do not need to use the trigger mechanism; open both side flaps of the cage. Leave a bowl of aromatic treats at every opportunity. Let the cat come and eat. Over time, she will get used to it and spend some time there. The animal will begin to secrete pheromones, and the trap will have its own smell. The moment the cat is captured, it will experience less stress than if it were spontaneously captured in an unfamiliar place.

How to catch a cat using valerian

Everyone knows the passion of mustachioed striped creatures for valerian. Perhaps you yourself have witnessed how uniquely this popular sedative acts on an animal. If your cat loses his mind at the sight of a bottle of valerian drops and is ready to do anything just to taste even a drop of this magical elixir, his little weakness can help you when he decides to run away.

A legitimate question arises: how to catch a cat on the street using valerian? To lure a fugitive you will need an alcohol tincture of valerian root. The pills will not have the desired effect, or even have no effect at all. The easiest way is to apply the drug to your palms or clothes (you need to dress accordingly, the best option is stretched sweatpants and a country sweater), and then take a comfortable position and wait until the pet, attracted by the wonderful aroma, approaches you. Everything else is a matter of technique.

This method is not suitable for catching a nervous or overly frightened animal. In this case, you need to use a carrier or a regular cardboard box, which should be placed not far from the place where your pet is hiding. Inside, place an old woolen scarf or handkerchief folded in four and apply valerian drops to it. As soon as the cat climbs into the box and begins to roll around on the litter, purring blissfully, you can, as they say, pick it up with your bare hands.

Please note: if there are stray cats living where your pet has disappeared, this method will have to be abandoned. The aroma of valerian drops will attract wild cats from all over the area, at the sight of which your pet will be even more frightened and will rush to take better cover.

When choosing a method for catching a cat on the street, be sure to take into account the character of your pet, and do not forget that with each new failure the chances of catching a runaway are steadily decreasing.

What you need to know about unfamiliar animals

Be careful when catching cats on the street. The animal may scratch or bite you. Cats are carriers of various diseases, many of which occur without significant symptoms. Be sure to show the caught animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If you plan to keep your cat at home before visiting the doctor, place it in quarantine, isolating it from other animals.

If you are bitten by a wild cat, you should immediately see a specialist. It is better not to touch street animals that look unhealthy. But if you want to cure such a cat, follow all the rules of hygiene and try to avoid direct contact.

How to catch a street cat

Let's imagine this situation: you saw a stray animal on the street and decided to catch it, treat it and keep it (or place it in good hands). Of course, the goal is noble, but, unfortunately, difficult to achieve. Animals that were born and raised on the street do not trust people, and they have many reasons for this. How to catch a street cat without getting hurt yourself is what you should think about first.

First of all, take a closer look at the animal’s behavior. Pay attention to where it lives. Ask those around you if there is a person among them who feeds him. If the cat trusts and likes this person, ask him to help catch the poor thing. Most likely, you will not be refused.

If you are determined to take care of a homeless animal, first try to establish contact with her. Offer him some food, reinforcing your good intentions with kind words. If the cat does not come to you on its own, do not rush things. A little patience - and your ward will climb into your arms and even go to your home without resistance. Of course, only a young cat that has not yet encountered true cruelty and has not lost trust in people can behave this way. What if in front of you is an adult and, in addition, a shy wild cat?

How to catch a cat on the street who is afraid needs to be discussed separately. Such animals can pose a known danger. When driven into a corner, they often attack a person and can severely scratch and even bite. In this case, both you and the animal you caught will need medical attention. If possible, without delaying a minute, take the caught cat to the veterinary clinic. The fact is that a street animal may be a carrier of a serious disease that is dangerous not so much for her as for you. If you are unable to visit a veterinarian, isolate the captured animal from other pets until it has been thoroughly examined.

Did a caught stray cat bite you? Be sure to go to your nearest health care center. If the animal looks clearly unhealthy, you should not touch it. Take him to a veterinary clinic and leave him to the professionals. In the future, you will have to strictly adhere to the rules of hygiene and avoid direct contact with it until the animal is completely cured.

How to lure a cat with food

In some situations, grabbing a cat is relatively easy. In fact, many outdoor cats are hungry, and hunger is often greater than fear and mistrust. To lure your cat with food, such as a can of wet food, simply insert it into the carrier, leaving the zipper or door open. It is important that the food we use is consumed locally, otherwise the cat may grab it and run away to eat it in a secluded area.

Therefore, it is about the cat entering the carrier and then you close the door. You will need to be close enough to the box to be able to close it immediately before he can jump out, and be prepared to hold it tightly while the animal tries to escape. Always wear gloves to avoid scratches; cats can even cause serious bites and abrasions when they panic and want to escape. It is necessary to use special gloves that will not allow the cat to pierce them with its teeth. Obviously, any wound caused by a cat must be disinfected, and if it is deep, medical attention will be required.

If you can't let the cat in right away, you can take the time, often the cats after a few minutes of us being around them, the cats will relax and lower their guard a little to allow entry into the carrier. Conversely, we can bring them food several times so that they trust us.

How to catch a cat in an apartment

Domestic cats - especially those that literally grew up in human hands and are constantly in close contact with their owner - have truly fantastic intuition. Many owners consider this to be a manifestation of telepathic abilities and, very likely, they are not far from the truth. There are known cases when, in response to just one thought from the owner, “We need to treat Barsik’s scratch” or “I’ll take Masha to the carrier before we’re late for the vaccination,” the above-mentioned Barsik or Masha, who had previously been sleeping sweetly on the sofa, instantly woke up and then they disappeared in an unknown direction, completely stopping the “criminal” plans of the loving owner.

But you still need to provide help and get vaccinated. In this regard, a logical question arises: how to catch a cat in an apartment?

If you plan to often take your pet on trips, accustom him to this from childhood. He should associate being in a carrier with something pleasant, so don’t skimp on kind words and cat treats. When the pet gets used to being carried and loves traveling, catching it will not be difficult: just put a tasty piece inside - and the problem is solved.

The situation is much more complicated when you need to catch an adult animal, and you have neither a carrier nor any other trap. In this case, it is recommended to purchase a pair of the most ordinary brooms. For some inexplicable reason, cats cannot stand the quiet rustling sound that occurs when these objects are slightly shaken, and run away from it as fast as they can. All you have to do is take advantage of cats’ dislike for brooms and try to drive your pet into the smallest and most sparsely furnished room in the house. This could be a hallway, vestibule or toilet. The main condition is the absence of places where the animal can hide.

The most convenient way to catch a cat is to enlist the support of someone close to you. While you are preparing for the upcoming manipulation, your assistant can close all the doors except those leading in the desired direction, thereby cutting off the animal’s escape route, and then, armed with an old jacket or a large towel, join you to catch and hold the cat while you You will lubricate his scratch with a disinfectant solution. If the room is small, the two of you can complete the task in a matter of minutes.

Sometimes our tailed pets get into places where they can’t get out themselves, and you can’t help them. In this case, don't try to do the impossible. Seek help from professionals: an animal control service or a unified rescue service.

When you need specialist help

Our pets sometimes end up in completely unexpected places. Remember one simple rule: if an animal is in a hard-to-reach place and cannot get out on its own, try to adequately assess the possibility of saving it on your own. A cat can climb high up a tree or fall into a vent or sewer hatch. In all such cases, you should not be a hero; it is better to seek professional help. Your pet will be saved by a special animal control service or a unified rescue service (if the situation is truly emergency).

What to do if you need to catch an animal very quickly? Consult your veterinarian about the possibility of using sedatives and ask for the correct dosage. The medicine should be mixed into the bait treat. As soon as the animal eats, keep your eyes on it. Try not to let your cat hide in the basement or other secluded place. Then try to catch a black cat in a dark room! Once the drug begins to work, the reaction will slow down and the animal will appear sleepy. At this moment you can pick him up.

There is a cat living on the street that the owner abandoned; after taking the dog into his villa, he threw the cat outside. The cat has a problem with his eyes and skin; he urgently needs to be treated. The owner doesn’t give a fuck, he says that everything is ok and he won’t be treated because he is treated for fleas.. I tried to put him in the carrier after putting on a cat harness, but it turned out to be tight and I only hooked it on my neck, in the end the cat scratched everything on me hands and almost strangled himself. What to do? How to bring it home? There’s no way in my arms, I have to walk 15 minutes home, he’ll run away from me.